And this year the warm months are setting up to offer a long line of big premieres exclusively in Cleveland County.

For businesses, that is.

From big-name national retail stores to tourism to banking, May through August will likely bring some big new attractions and changes to the county.

The new PetSmart store in the Walmart shopping center in Shelby looks to be the opening act with a newly announced May 4 opening.

There are county residents on both sides of the local versus big-box store debate, but interest is high in the national retailer’s foray into the county. I’ve received a good dozen calls and emails in recent months from people interested in applying to work at the pet store.

Interest is also high in the ownership changeover of one of the county’s longest standing businesses – First National Bank – which will become part of Arkansas-based Bank of the Ozarks. I had a call this past week from a reader wanting to simply know if the deal is still in progress.

Ozarks CEO George Gleason told me this week the Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have approved the company’s buyout of First National.

“We expect approval from the Arkansas State Bank Department (this) week,” Gleason said. “Everything is going as expected and as planned. We still expect the deal to close very late second quarter or early third.”

Dunkin’ Donuts also expects to settle a new footprint in the county in the third quarter, with construction moving quickly on its new store next to Cook Out on U.S. 74.

And not even a mile down the road, the American Legion World Series hopes to roll out a new red carpet for guests this year with the addition of the Plaza of Champions. A multi-million-dollar facelift at Veterans Field/Keeter Stadium includes plans for a revamped entrance in time for the August tournament.

Think you’ll miss the summer attractions?

The show may not stop there.

Destination Cleveland County leaders have said they want to open the Earl Scruggs Center, a regional history museum named after the native music legend, by the end of the year.

And there are several other restaurants and new businesses expected to open in the coming months from Boiling Springs to Shelby to Kings Mountain. The Star will have more on those in the near future.

Look for a good seat to catch it all.

The stage is set for a potential big show that could last the rest of the year.

Reach Matthew Tessnear at 704-669-3331, at mtessnear@shelbystar.com or on Twitter @MatthewTessnear.

Have a business tip or question?

Contact city editor Matthew Tessnear at 704-669-3331 or mtessnear@shelbystar.com with tips or questions about new or changing businesses in Cleveland County.